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Current Fire Restrictions
Updated: June 29, 2024
Forest Order 05-07-00-24-11 Fire Use Restrictions: Effective June 29, 2024 - January 31, 2025
In response to the increasing potential for wildland fire starts, Los Padres National Forest officials announced that fire restrictions will be implemented throughout the Forest effective June 29. These restrictions will affect the use of campfires, stoves, smoking materials, and internal combustion engines, and will remain in effect until January 31, 2025.
- No open fires, campfires or charcoal fires will be permitted outside of developed recreation sites or designated Campfire Use Sites (list attached), even with a valid California Campfire Permit. Lanterns and portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel will be permitted, but only with a valid California Campfire Permit, which can be obtained free-of-charge at this website. Forest visitors must clear all flammable material for five feet in all directions from their camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person always attends the stove during use.
- Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or a designated Campfire Use Site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
- Internal combustion engines may be operated only on roads or designated trails. This restriction is in effect year-round. Please make sure your engine is tuned, operating properly, and has an approved spark arrester.
- Fireworks – even the “safe and sane” variety – are not permitted at any time or in any location within the Forest.
- Discharging a firearm is prohibited within Los Padres National Forest except while legally hunting or at Winchester Canyon Gun Club and Ojai Valley Gun Club which operate under special use authority.
For a list of Developed Recreation Sites and Campfire Use Sites in Los Padres National Forest, or further information regarding Fire-Safe Camping, visit www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf or contact the U.S. Forest Service district office nearest you.
Visitors are encouraged to call the Forest Supervisor’s Office or the local ranger stations for more information on conditions and restrictions.
- Supervisor’s Office – (805) 968-6640
- Ojai Ranger District – (805) 646-4348
- Santa Barbara District - (805) 724-0079
- Mt. Pinos Ranger District – (661) 245-3731 ext. 0
- Santa Lucia Ranger District – (805) 925-9538 ext. 0
- Monterey Ranger District – (831) 385-5434 ext. 0
Los Padres National Forest prohibits campfires in the Santa Barbara front country
Forest Order 05-07-54-24-03
Campfires are prohibited on National Forest System lands in the Santa Barbara front country due to the increasing fire danger and the potential threat to downslope communities.
Over the past 15 years, eight large wildfires have directly impacted the front country communities of Goleta, Santa Barbara, Montecito, Summerland and Carpinteria. Extreme fire weather events are now occurring year-round and are compounded by the long-term, severe drought affecting Central and So. California.
Front country visitors possessing a valid CA Campfire Permit will be permitted to use portable lanterns or stoves that run on propane, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel.
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